Don't waste your gap year having fun like the boys in The Inbetweeners 2 movie. An expedition abroad could help you land your first job. Photograph: Vince Valitutti

Getting involved in an organised overseas expedition can not only offer an opportunity of a lifetime but it can also develop life skills and a level of cultural immersion that will help young people stand out in the jobs market.

Taking on this kind of adventure – whether on a school trip, during a gap year or while at university – is a big mental and physical challenge but these opportunities also bring huge rewards for those that take part.

One of the biggest changes seen in young people taking part is an increase in confidence and independence as well as social interaction. Teachers have often remarked that they can tell apart the pupils who have returned from an expedition from their classmates because of a level of maturity that this experience brings.

In both the planning of the trip and the running of the expedition itself students are often given a lot of responsibility which helps them to become more independent. Instead of looking to others to push them forward or solve problems, young people have to look to themselves and their team members. Taking away the safety nets of living in the UK really allows youngsters to see just how much they can achieve.

No expedition is completely problem free and young people will no doubt face challenges along the way whether it is bartering in a local food market without knowing the language, coping with blisters on a week's trek or simply living in tents in pouring rain for days on end. When you are out on expedition there is no option but to deal with the situation you are faced with.

Going into the workplace from the relatively sheltered environment of school or university, this resilience is key. No graduate or school leaver will walk into a job knowing exactly what to do and for most, starting a career is a huge learning curve that will bring as many challenges and setbacks as it will successes and opportunities; resilience is vital therefore to help you deal with this and learn from your experiences.

Employers are also now increasingly looking for global citizens – individuals who have an understanding of international cultures and issues, and who can work effectively with people from a range of backgrounds. Even if you go abroad on holiday regularly, the tourist experience never quite gives you a real taste of the local life and culture. Many expedition providers give you the opportunity to spend some time living and working with local communities, but even just getting off the beaten track will give you a better understanding of the country you are visiting.

When looking for jobs, students and graduates also need to be able to demonstrate soft transferable skills, and this is something that employers are regularly saying that schools and universities are no longer providing. Within the curriculum and with the pressures of exams, it can be difficult for schools to focus on the skills that employers are looking for but that is where extracurricular activities can really enhance a well-rounded education. When we surveyed our challengers who completed expeditions in 2013, 98% said that the experience was valuable in helping them develop communication, team working, leadership and decision making skills – all valuable in the workplace.

Going on expedition is all about teamwork. You cannot have a successful expedition without it. Young people need to learn how to contribute as part of a team not as an individual. When you are trekking up Kilimanjaro in Tanzania you need to stay as a group and that means supporting the weaker members so that everyone can reach the summit. Teams also need leaders and while there are trained expedition leaders and teachers on every trip, most school run expeditions will expect the pupils to take responsibility and share leadership throughout the experience.

Taking advantage of these opportunities really is open to anyone who has the drive and determination to take part. While it is true that expeditions can be expensive, cost doesn't need to be a barrier. As part of the planning for any expedition, fundraising for the trip at school or university helps students develop further skills and experience demonstrating ingenuity, innovation and enterprise.

There are no specific skills needed to sign up for an expedition but it is important to make sure you effectively train and prepare for the challenge. The only way you will get the most out of the experience is if you are both physically and mentally prepared for what is to come. There is no standard preparation process, but it is important to consider the type of environment and expedition that you will be undertaking: how much walking will you be doing, how much weight will you be required to pack, do you need to be aware of any cultural differences, and what is the climate or environment going to be like?

Whether you are looking to do an expedition before going onto university or using the opportunity to kickstart your career, taking part in an experience like this can really help to set you apart. It can give you great life experience, developing both hard and soft skills that employers are looking for, and of course you will come back with some great stories to tell in interviews.